When Nur Suryani Mohamed Taibi makes her Olympic debut in the 10- metre air rifle event this weekend, she will be the first woman to represent Malaysia in Olympic shooting.

Baby on board: Nur Suryani Mohamad Taibi is due to give birth to her first child in September but will still compete at the London OlympicsPhoto: GETTY IMAGES

But the real surprise is that when she competes, Nur Suryani will be eight months pregnant.

Pregnant athletes have competed at an Olympics before, but Nur Suryani will be the nearest to giving birth.

As Nur Suryani, 29, takes aim, she will offer up a silent prayer to Allah that her unborn baby desists from kicking at the moment she pulls the trigger. Her baby is due in September and, in order to compete, she has

to squeeze her bulging abdomen into the heavy body suit and jacket worn by competitors to aid stability.

Nur Suryani has travelled to the Games with her husband, Marhazli Mohtar. He is, in her words, a “low-ranked” policeman who had to secure government help to get his plane ticket to London. She says her husband has supported her Olympic ambitions throughout, although some of her friends and family have openly questioned why she is doing it.

“Most people said I was crazy and selfish because they think I am jeopardising my baby’s health,” said the 29 year-old. “My husband said grab it as this is a rare chance which may not come again. Also, I am the mother. I know what I can do. I am a stubborn person.”

Nur Suryani has already named her unborn daughter, who will be her first child, Dayana Widyan, and recites verses from the Koran in order to soothe her.

“Every morning I talk to her and I say: ‘Mummy is going for training. Please remain calm. Don’t kick.’ But if the baby kicks I have to breathe easy and let her calm down before shooting.” Nur Suryani is ranked 47th in the world and won a gold medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games and a bronze at the Asian Games in the same year.

She has combined her shooting with being a navy logistics officer. She has continued to train despite suffering from morning sickness and has had to adjust her stance slightly since she became pregnant, although she says the extra weight has improved her stability.

The Malaysian shooting manager, Muzli Mustakim, says she does not believe being pregnant will hinder Nur Suryani’s chance of success at the Games.

“She is very well prepared mentally. It has not affected her at all, so she is exceptional in that respect. Some people say she shouldn’t be here, that she should be at home if she is pregnant.”

Asked about Nur Suryani’s chances of winning Malaysia’s first ever gold medal, Muzli says: “That would certainly make history. The mere fact she is competing at eight months is amazing enough but [a gold medal] would be fantastic.”

Nur Suryani herself is not getting up her hopes too high for Saturday. “I just want to perform my best at the Games. If gold comes, thanks to God and my baby. Who knows? Miracles can happen.”